After trading speeches for sprints, Pence hopes to make greater impact on the field

In town for a demonstration of PlayStation’s “MLB 13: The Show,” Hunter Pence didn’t waste any time making a change to the Giants virtual lineup. Pence made himself the leadoff hitter, and if all goes according to plan this season, he’ll flash a trait that’s always needed atop a lineup.

“I know I’m a lot faster than I was last year,” said Pence, who homered in his first at-bat while playing the game. “A lot of it comes down to speed and being able to beat out some of those infield hits.”

Make no mistake, Pence isn’t sneaking glances at Angel Pagan’s leadoff spot. He was brought to San Francisco last summer to be a middle-of-the-order thumper, and he’s proud of the 104 RBIs he piled up, 45 of them in orange and black. But Pence is well aware of another number on the back of his baseball card: He hit .219 in 59 regular season games for the Giants and struggled at times in the postseason.

“Sometimes you get in a rut and it’s tough to get out of,” Pence said. “I’m confident that I can hit better than I did last year. Every year I’m working to improve in all aspects.”
This offseason, one of the main areas of focus has been speed. Pence had 22 infield hits last season and during one stretch in September, joked: “I don’t think I look fast, but I get there quick. I’m not Gregor Blanco fast, but I try to do what I do.”

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He hopes to do it even better this season, and has also been working hard at hand-eye drills during training in Houston and Florida in an effort to stay looser at the plate. Pence was plenty loose Tuesday night as he played a few innings of “MLB 13: The Show” (that photo above is of Buster Posey in the game) on the AT&T Park scoreboard. He said he’s eager for the season to start and has no hard feelings about the organization’s decision to focus on a one-year deal.

Pence, traded twice in the last two seasons, had hoped to discuss a long-term deal with the Giants, but the front office made it clear early in the offseason that the organization preferred a different plan. Pence and the Giants agreed to a one-year, $13.8 million deal last week, avoiding arbitration.

“I’m just focused on baseball,” Pence said. “I enjoy this city and enjoy this team.”

Asked if he would still like to find a way to make San Francisco his permanent home, Pence nodded. “If they would talk about that, I’d definitely be willing to listen. I’m not opposed to that at all,” he said. “I want to be here.”

Pence was famous for giving inspirational speeches during the postseason run, so it was appropriate that on Tuesday he spent some time playing a video game, released in March, that offers an improved postseason mode as one of its new features. Alas, there are no digital speeches in the game – and that’s just the way Pence would want it.

“It was all the way the team played,” he said when asked about his wide-eyed performances. “It had nothing to do with my speeches. We had a great performance all the way around.”

It was historic, in fact. The Giants became the first team in MLB history to wipe out a two-game deficit in a best-of-five series by winning three straight on the road, and before that Game 5 in Cincinnati, Pence screamed that it was “time to make history.” On Tuesday, he said that some teammates thought that Pence was embellishing a bit. Only after the game did most of the Giants realize that they had actually done something that had never been done before.

Asked what he remembers about that time, Pence smiled. “Stress,” he said.

Alex Pavlovic

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Pence will be a vital Giant going forward in 2013 and hopefully beyond.

JD4SF

Thanks, Alex!

Lefty

I think Pence is awesome. I hope he has a great year and stays for awhile.

Richard in Winnipeg

Thanks Alex;
Another new thread , and story.

Love Pence, hope he has great year.

Bapah

Thanks, Clutch, for the kind words. TBI is something I’m truly concerned about. I was knocked out more than a dozen times in high school and college playing football, so it’s personal and something I’m adamant about with my kids and now my grandkids and any other kids I know. These new findings about being able to detect brain abnormalities by PET scans is a tremendous advance in medicine relating to TBI.

Hearing Flannery say that last year’s team was the best he’d ever been a part of was something we all felt might be the case, but to know that the organization felt the same way makes this year’s decisions regarding player retention and philosophy regarding additions not only make sense but is commendable AND smart.

I hope Pence’s seasonal average was an outlier also. Now we must just hope Timmy’s was just a bump too. How many days to pitchers and catchers?

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/yjlyw ClutchUp

Yesterday KNBR’s Tom Tolbert said there should be an APP for instantaneous Twitter “Close Down” for athletes, family members, relatives that last for about 36 hours after an event and the week leading up to a Huge event (Super Bowl/World Series)

Last year it was Mrs. Tommy Brady (you know what’s-her-name) Gisele Buns-of-Steel and now we gots-to-put-up with Mrs. Wes Welker’s tweet which has already been withdrawn.

Mz. Welker is the hunky Hooters of the 2005 year gal but if I’m choosing between Reverend Ray and “I don’t know what I’m doing” Anna Burns Welker” — sorry I’m sticking with — the current Ray Lewis, not the one who was complicit with some shady dealings of football past.

LEAVE THE GUY ALONE. He’s leaving the game he loves on a high note after 17 years. I can take/leave most of his shtick but the guy is a difference maker ala Lawrence Taylor and Derrick Thomas.

Ray played 17 yrs, doubtful the Ms. Hooters Welker will be associated with anything for 17 yrs.

With the incessant citation of stats to make a point here, a new article that sorts out what stats are sensible to use for the purpose evaluating year to year performance. With guys like Pence, it’s particularly poignant.

Hope those hand and eye coordination drills include learning not to swing at those balls low and outside the strike zone.

Here’s hoping too that he has such a great year that he gets a multi year contract with the Giants…

Lefty

SC Jim: Here’s hoping the overpaid, overhyped no-chemistry LA Lakers are foreshadowing what the 2013 LA Dodgers will be like. Remember after the Lakers got Nash and Bryant how everyone said the Finals would be between the Heat and Lakers? Not so fast.

So the rumors are strong that the Braves may get the second Upton brother. The fans are already referring to their possible outfield as “Up, Up, and a Hey.” (Kinda cute, I must admit, though I’m no admirer of Braves’ fans.) That move would make the Braves a pret-ty, pret-ty good team. Should be a barn-burner between them and the Nats. Sorry, Phils. Your Young brothers don’t measure up to the Uptons.

Lefty

Oops–I meant the Lakers got Nash and HOWARD.

Foothills Ryan

If the Braves can pull this off without sending a piece from the major league roster, they will be formidable. But still second fiddle to the Nationals. The Braves rotation just doesn’t stack up the way it used to. Still good, but not great. Huddy is getting long in the tooth. But if their D is slick, and the Upton’s are bangin’, loook out. They’d move ahead of the Giants in the power rankings. And with 5 teams getting into the dance, it could be between the Giants and Dodgers should the Nationals, Reds, Cardinals and Braves play as good as they’d look on paper.

If I were AZ GM, I’d ask for Johnny Venters + Teheran + other prospect.

Boom!

Walter Guest

I’ve got mixed opinions on this Upton. He’s only averaged 2.2 WAR per 600 PA’s in his career but that was for ages 19 to 24. He needs to improve a lot to be worth what people think of him but he’s young so he might.

Lefty

Foothills: I’ve seen both Venters’ and Teheran’s names in the rumors. Good call. Definitely not Simmons. That’s still a nonstarter for the Braves. Young Simmons and our BCraw35 are likely to battle it out for Gold Gloves for years to come.

I agree that the Nats’ rotation is superior, and it ain’t close. Due respect to our Fab 5, but the Nats have the best rotation in baseball, in my opinion. And the Reds are pretty scary good, too, especially if Chapman transitions well to starting. The Braves have a fantastic bullpen, but the Nats dramatically improved theirs by signing Soriano. Seriously, except for no LH reliever, the Nats appear to have no flaws. They won 98 games last year–110 this year?!

Walter Guest

I’ve heard Upton was nursing a thumb injury last year and that accounts for his falloff. And there have been questions about his attitude.

Mo P

Pence is a great #5 hitter, who the giants need desperately… protection for posey.

The giants were smart in just giving Pence one year, b/c he can’t duplicate his .219 avg next season. He’s a career .290 hitter, so if he comes close to that, the giants will be just fine…

Walter Guest

More Upton.

A guy going in with without a positive attitude might not thrive under a manager like Kirk Gibson who is reputed to be a hardnose.

I thought there might be a clash there.

Walter Guest

The Giants need Pence to produce. There is no backup.

Foothills Ryan

If Pence is really a .290 hitter, perhaps the smart thing to do would have been to sign him to a medium term deal at a lower rate than the arbitration. Like 2/24 or even 3/36? That wouldn’t have tied their hands and it possibly would enable Pence to play a little more relaxed.

If Pence is hitting like a .290 five hitter, I’ll bet Pence gets extended well before he sniffs free agency. And he really seems to like SF. They got him a ring!

Lefty

Foothills: Yeah, that’s what I thought they should do, too. In a world where an over-the-hill guy like Shane Victorino is getting 3/$39 at age 32, Lord knows what Pence might cost if he simply returns to form in 2013. Some buy-low cost control might have been a decent risk to take.

From Schulman’s article/Tweets last week, the reasoning behind going slowly with Pence may be connected to Tim Lincecum. He said that the Giants have not at all given up on the idea of bringing Lincecum back after next season and are planning their payroll such that they could do so if it seemed right. Not to mention that they haven’t worked out Buster’s multiple-year deal, either, and they may want to extend the Panda after this season, too.

ClutchUp

Sabotage was TOO strong but Brown, Rice, Zach Crocket and John Richie said “something was up”.

Romonowski has zero cred. All def players don’t inneract with the O. Brown brought this up in 2003 but nobody paid attention.

Jerry Jones hired Callahan as his new OC.

Good luck Jerry!

channelclemente

Walter has a good point, how much of Upton is advert vs. real. As long as he ends up in the NL East, the worst he can do is haunt the Nationals and Phillies.

CU, just from an analytical point Brown has a point.

Lefty

I just don’t get why the Dbacks would rather have Cody Ross than Upton for the next three years. That’s basically the choice they’re making. It makes zero sense to me.

Lefty

Justin Upton:
Age 25
salary owed 2013-15: about $38 mil.
career WAR (six seasons): 13.1
career OPS: .832
HRs: 108
injured thumb for most of 2012 lowered power numbers but hit .280

Hungry for a long-term contract, perhaps ready to relax into his role, presumably satisfied with the dollar amount in the one-year deal and repeating that he likes SF; Pence could be ready to launch himself into a major contract run.

Another guy with something to prove is #55. Contract year. Hit a big bump last season. Recovery in the Post-Season in the super reliever role. Can he re-establish himself as at least a better than average ML starter or will his role switch into a whole new reliever role ~ a guy who can come in at any time in the game and go long or just get one key hitter? A guy who could excel in virtually any bullpen role over 50 to 60 games might not quite get the compensation as an Ace starter, but may well establish a perceived value of $15-$17M/year AND set a new trend in bullpen roles at the same time.

The Enforcer role in that five-hole is one of the must-fill spots in the l.u. for a team aiming at major success. One more quality RH arm in the pen. preferably a guy who can smooth through at least two innings and this team looks solid.

Lot of good teams out there, four pointed out on this thread in the NLC and NLE divisions. Thing that must be noted is that all of them are looking upwards ~ at an orange and black flag hanging over Willie Mays Field. Giants are the Champs and after two of the last three there will not be much more talk about luck or happy turns of fate. When it comes crunch time experience counts.

Foothills Ryan

Cubs sign Scott Hairston for 2/6mil.

I love what the Cubbies have done. Hairston stands to Platoon with Schierholtz. Or take over left field if Soriano gets dealt. Their rotation has potential to be above average. They are a third basemen and catcher away from being dangerous.

Lefty

Got to watch my Dubs BEAT OKC on NBA TV tonight! What a great game!

ClutchUp

Yep nice win. Jarrett Jack and Landry have made a big difference.

I also think Harrison Barnes is a better all around player then Klay but that’s imo.

Lefty

Love Barnes. Klay can sure drill those threes, though.

South City Jim

Dubs only team in NBA to beat Clips, OKC and Heat. If Bogut gives them anything, they could make some noise in May.

2holehitting

Hunter Pence is a career 275 hitter away from Minute Maid and homers 1 every 25 official at bats away from Minute Maid. He had 1 full seasons in which hit over 300 . He has never hit more than 25 HR’s even in Band boxes of Minute Maid and Philly. His other full seasons 269, 282, 282, 253, but remember those were padded with Minute Maid stats.

Bapah

Upton deal appears done to ATL.

ClutchUp

2Hole:Pence is a classic Sabean piece to their puzzle.

This 1 yr deal will make/break how people view him.

Stats don’t tell his whole story. He is a needed piece to their success.

Who cares what his Astro/Phillie stats are. He drove in 45 in 55.

Lefty

As I said, I really like Pence. Personality-wise, he’s clearly a good fit, and the Giants need RH pop from at least one corner OF.

But I need to be convinced. Beyond the (mostly bad) stats after the trade, many of Pence’s ABs just looked awful. He failed the “eye exam” for me. It reminded me of “He who shall not be named” who got a disastrous five-year deal from the Giants after one good year with the Phillies.

I’m glad the Giants are taking a measured approach here.

ClutchUp

Done. Upton/Chris johnson
For Prado/Delgado + two others

Foothills Ryan

Interesting how the Upton deal shook out. Braves lose Martin Prado in the deal. His game reminds of Scutaro. Very fine player. So while the Braves attained the best outfield in baseball, they still have the Chipper void at third. They will hope Chris Johnson, acquired from AZ, will compete with Juan Francisco.

No Julio Teheran or Johnny Venters. Prado definitely helps the Diamondbacks. Delgado was once a top prospect. Yet another arm to their staff.

Braves nudge forward in power rankings. Drawing even with Giants for 5th in NL. This helps the Diamondbacks also. NL West could be tight with Dodgers, Diamondbacks and Giants. Don’t sleep on Padres. 90 wins may take it.

Slide Dog

Lefty, the Giants ability to take a measured approach with Pence may be one more example of the ‘advantage of riches’. While the Giants aren’t wild spenders they do have the elasticity (as Steve Young would say) to expand payroll in the short run to get what they need, without taking risks in the long run. Having said that, there have been mistakes (no names, yes), and they do tie up money long term for the franchise core.

I’d catagorize the current bullpen spend to the ‘advantage of riches’ bucket as well. Teams like the Pirates, Royals, and even SD and the Rockies can’t feasibly dish out 30M to pen. Combining the available money with a measured approach seems to be the SFG formula. It seems to be working.

Foothills Ryan

Correction, Giants and Braves tied for 4th in NL Power Rankings

Nationals

Reds
Cardinals

Giants
Braves

Dodgers
Diamondbacks

Phillies
Padres
Pirates
….

====

Yeah, how bout them Warriors. Clippers then Okay-C? So much for regressing to mean. Seems more nice than mean for sure.

Matt Dubuque

THE BEST WAY for Hunter Pence to make a bigger impact on the field is to study, copy, imitate and mimic the approach of Marco Scutaro at the plate.

94% of the time last year when Scutaro swung at the ball he made contact.

What was Pence at? 26%?

“See the ball. Hit the ball.” TED WILLIAMS said that.

Keep’n It Real

I’m shaking my head…

For years the Giants were being criticized because they couldn’t develop an everyday impact player from their farm system. Yes… they now have some homegrown talent on the roster, but many of you know what I mean.

The Diamondbacks have a young/dynamic RF that hits the crap out of the ball and (based upon what I’ve seen) is no slouch in the field. This type of homegrown talent is something that many teams would dream to have coming out of their farm system. So what do they do? They trade him to a competitor in the NL; where he’ll probably flourish and remind the Diamondbacks how idiotic this trade really was…over and over again.

If it was me, maybe I get rid of Gibson (if there was a clash) and let Matt Williams manage the team. I would think Matt would be less of a hard-head manager that would have helped keep Upton in AZ and allow the team to continue their growth.

Keep’n It Real

@ClutchUp #26

I would agree with everything you said.

At this point, some former players that are trying to make it in the media are less-likely to support what #81 is saying. The guys that have been supportive his game plan change statements (not necessarily the sabotage word) don’t necessarily have that to worry about or have always been their own guy (Ritchie).

It’s kind of funny that Rich Gannon said sabotage never happened (and I’m OK with that), but there was no denial about the game plan change on the Friday before the game…which has now been confirmed by others. Gannon…who was known the be prickly as a player…is obviously taking the high road to keep his NFL gig going.

Romanowski? I’m shocked that no one has taken him to task about never being in the offensive meetings, so how could he be a credible source? PED-using, face spitting, wind-bag.

ClutchUp

Pence isn’t Scutaro nor is he the type who will bw able to copy Scoots.

Hunter is gonna have to do it on his own.

Lefty

Keepin’ It Real: Totally agree on the Upton trade. Keith Law just posted an “Insider” piece in which he characterized the trade as “50 cents on the dollar” for the Dbacks and added that it was the second such trade this off-season (Trevor Bauer being the first). And that in both cases, these were players Gibson didn’t like.

Prado is a versatile guy who is a notch above a utility player, but they only get one year of him. He’s no All-Star/MVP upside player like J. Upton is. Delgado has, according to Law, “fifth starter potential” at best. The other prospects in the deal are not inspiring. One is a good defense, no-hit SS. If I haven’t lost count, that’s the third one the Dbacks have acquired this off-season (Pennington, Gregorious).

I’m happy, though because the Dbacks have weakened themselves and become much less relevant in the NL West for 2013. I’m happy for Upton, too, who I believe deserved better. He gets to go to a really good team where I assume he’s wanted and play with his brother.

Up, Up, and a Hey. It’s actually happened.

pacman68

I’m on the fence with Pence. I don’t think he is going to have a great year and will go through patches where we all want to throw him in the pool. But I love his energy and love for the game. No long term deal for him but I do like the guy. He just needs more patience at the plate.

slim pickens

Pence often swings too hard and pulls his head off the ball. He needs to shorten his swing and keep his eyes on the seams. See the ball then knock the hell out of it. The rut comes when he tries to kill it and starts jerking that head. Matt Williams would put his chin on his front shoulder, keep a chew on his jersey to keep his head on the ball.

Foothills Ryan

Crazy exciting times this week in the offseason.

The Diamondbacks are looking to extend Prado (this was apparently contingent upon making the trade). Prado had a .301/.359/.438 line last year.

Diamondbacks are also looking to package the SS they got from ATL for Rick Porcello.

It feels easy to criticize the Diamondbacks for their offseason moves, but they upgraded third base and added to their already deep pitching corp. They have pieces to make additional moves. They will feature very good pitching and solid defense. A Giant formula. Can’t say the Giants outfield is any better than theirs. They also have a slugging first baseman. Giants not so much.

CB the DodgerH8ter

Wassup with Lyon? Are the two sides still talking? We all heard the rumor a week ago and last seven days have been quiet.

ClutchUp

Good article about David Akers especially the insights shared by longtime NFL special-teams coach and kicking consultant Gary Zauner who says the path of a kickers misses can offer a window to their/his psyche.

In my opinion kickers going into slumps are similar to hitters falling victim to bad habits/mechanics …. hitters pull off the ball … they forget to rely on pitch recognition/spin out of the pitchers hand etc … and then of course the mental game is similar. A kicker has to hit the ball in one spot only with the toe/side-of of his kicking shoe. A hitter needs to square, barrel up the ball on the 2 1/2 inch sweet spot or the ball probably won’t be hit with authority. At least in baseball though a bloop hit may occur even if not struck well … or an error by the opposition.

In football a kicker doesn’t get any assistance from the opposition, just squawking defensive backs running their mouths ala Asante Samuel.

Foothills Ryan

Ray signed Farnsworth for very reasonable deal. Sorry Farnz.

Has Sabean woken from his nap yet?

===

Mets have something interesting brewing. Asking for an appeal on retaining their #11 overall pick should they sign Michael Bourn. They feel their pick should be protected as they had at bottom 10 finish. I agree. Bourn to the Muts.

thefarnz

@Footy, yeah I saw…really bummed for now. But I’ll feel better around April 1st.

ClutchUp

I guess the KNBR contractual obligations preclude Bochy from telling Murph and Mac to e*f*f off since it was then way back in 2010 who while on air mocked the passing of Boch’s 16yr old black lab retriever who BB15 had to put down during a roadie to SD. Barking dog sounds and Murphy laughing in the background could be heard.

Three yrs later on today’s interview all seemed OK, ‘cept Murph seemed shocked that he did not know inside information that BB15: Just came back from Sundance, will be golfing at Augusta compliments of Giants principal owner Charlie Johnson before he heads to the AT&T at Pebble. Murphy hammered home the potential Niner parade by Bochy wanted to keep the possibility in perspective – to the pressuring Murphy. Paulie Mac warned Boch that Murphy holds a roast at Pebble and was once so off color that Tim Brown holds a grudge. (That’s two, Callahan and Murphy) Bochy came back with: “that’s okay, I have several features that are easy targets”… 8)

It won’t matter. They will be drawing walks and pounding the ball over the fence. Running the bases well also. In essence scoring a lot of runs which their above average rotation and lights out bullpen should hold in tact for 90-95 wins.

Lets hope Pac being ‘on the fence’ with Pence works out like it usually does. Pence an AS.

http://www.freeimagehosting.net/5jhqg ClutchUp

Clemente: 😀

Lefty

Foothills: I still think that even with Prado, the Dbacks have downgraded this off-season. It looks like their OF will now be Kubel (terrible defender), Ross (mediocre defender), and Eaton or Parra (mostly potential w/limited track record).

I’d say the Giants’ OF is roughly equivalent, though it’s not a clear 1:1 mapping:

Pagan > better than Parra (better offensively & OK defensively)
Pence >/= Kubel: If Pence returns to career form, he will definitely be better all around.
Ross >/= to Blanco/Torres.

The Giants have no one in their OF who is as good as Justin Upton.

The Dbacks upgraded at 3B, but is that enough to offset the loss of a legitimate middle-of-the-order power hitter? I don’t think so.

As for pitching, Bauer has more potential than Delgado. And if the Dbacks do land Porcello, yawn. He’ll just join the parade of young but mediocre starters they already have (Corbin, Skaggs, Collmenter). It wouldn’t stun me if Bauer ends up being better than any of those four guys.

Yahoo’s Jeff Passan tweeted that Gibson was behind the dumping of both Bauer and Upton. Apparently he likes “gritty” guys (like Prado and Ross) better than “star” guys. We shall see. If the Snakes tank and Upton and Bauer thrive elsewhere, it certainly could be the end of Kevin Towers and Gibson in AZ.

channelclemente

People seem to just skip over the fact Upton IS a .270ish hitter, and plug into to their thinking what potential he’s presumed to have. Playing in Atlanta is going to be tough for him, IMO. Heyward and his brother will be in his windshield every day and I think Georgia fans may wear on him.

Foothills Ryan

Upton is a .270 ish with a 10+ BB% and a career ISO just below .200. What more do you want from a corner outfielder?

====

Randall Delgado is a 6-3 200#er who averages 92.5 on the heater. You know, Matt Cain, Ryan Vogelsong type stuff. Maybe Edwin Jackson type ceiling. You’ll gladly have arms like that on your roster. 5th starter? Maybe, but just remember, Keith Law knows more about making a perfect latte than he does about baseball.

===

Lefty, did you read the link? The Diamondback’s upgrade at third is about equal to their downgrade in left field.

Parra is a very good player. Outstanding on defense. Better than Blanco with the bat. He could hold Pagan’s jock, IMO.

Pence and Kubel, hmmm… for Kubel’s shortcomings with the leather and afoot, he trumps Pence with the bat. That’s a wash.

Cody Ross is an average corner outfielder. If he’s popping 20+ HRs, the DBacks will be just fine in the OF.

Oh yeah, Eaton. Scouts are raving on this guy. Limited power, but he’s probably what we wish Gary Brown could become.

Don’t sleep on the DBacks. Put a better defense behind Porcello than the one he had in Detroit and he’ll more than adequate.

====

As for Sabes van Winkle…

Where’s the hard work to upgrade the pen? Rotation depth? Left field? He was sleep walking through the offseason. Pagan and Scutaro’s deals were not bargains. He pretty much showed them the money. No hard ball. Nothing creative. Andres Torres? Scott Proctor? Chad Gaudin? Show me something or it’s more slippage in the Power Rankings. Just a solid bullpen arm would have done the trick for me. But the names keep dropping of the list. From Grilli to Adams to Lindstrom to Farnsworth. Better sign Lyons to “salvage” the offseason.

8)

channelclemente

Foothills,

want to bet some popcorn on Upton holding on to those numbers in Atlanta.

Two musing:

Without Upton, are the Rangers moving to those glory days of yesteryear.

Doesn’t Upton, Upton, and Heyward sound more like a law firm than an outfield.

Foothills Ryan

No CC. I’m no sucker. Atlanta’s park factors should trim his #’s down from Zona days. Plus facing the Nationals and Phillies staffs should be a factor as well. But think of all the road games he had in SF, LA & SD – against good pitching.

I bet Cody Ross won’t hit 20+ HRs again, not playing lots of games in the NL West with its good pitching and big ballparks. AZ is a good hitter’s park but I don’t know if it will give him the same advantage Fenway did.

To me the biggest issue with the Upton trade is that he’s 25 years old. Yes, I know he started young. But he’s not even in his prime as a hitter yet. And maybe in a different environment where he doesn’t have to be “the” star–and a manager who believes in him–he’ll be the star they always thought he would be (and WAS in 2011 when he was fourth in MVP voting and the Dbacks won the West). Whatever you can say about Prado, Ross, Kubel, or Parra, you can bet none of them will EVER be 4th in the NL in MVP voting. And Upton was 23 when he did that.

Foothills Ryan

Hi Lefty, it’s me, Margaret:

I wouldn’t put it past Cody to hit 20. Hit 22 in 528 PA last year. Fenway yielded 303 HRs to RHB in 9,922 PA from 2009-2011. Chase field yielded 331 in 10515. That’s 3.15% to 3.05% in favor of Chase Field for long balls by right handed hitters.

Remember, Jason Kubel, although a Lefty like yourself, hit 30!

I’d say Paul Goldschmidt has a good chance of hitting 30 next year. Especially when he hits at least 5 of them off of Lincecum.

Diamondbacks didn’t have third baseman on their roster who’s finished top 10 in the MVP. #9 in 2010. And #20 last year. Not bad. More MVP votes than Upton last year.

Lefty

Foothills: When my little brother was three, he used to tell people his name was “Margaret.” He was a quirky child. People used to glare at my mother because she was an evil person who gave her son a girl’s name (like “A Boy Named Sue”).

He also used to like to run around naked, but that’s another story.

Well, we shall see about the Dbacks. You never do know how someone will perform or how a team will gel. But I think I’m sticking with my prediction that the Snakes have weakened themselves with their many offseason manuevers:

–Trading Chris Young for Pennington: Seems like an odd move in light of their later signing of Cody Ross to “improve their defense.” Young is one of the best defensive CFs in baseball.

–Trading for Heath Bell: It may or may not hurt them except that Bell is expensive, they already had a good/pricey closer, and Bell had a terrible season.

–Signing Brandon McCarthy: Nothing wrong with that one. The Dbacks’ 1-4 rotation is now their strongest asset, in my view.

–Trading Trevor Bauer: Way too soon to tell, but most experts thought it was a pretty ridiculous thing to do. Many people think Didi Gregorious will never hit enough to crack a major league lineup.

–Signing Cody Ross. Odd given their surplus of outfielders and a pretty big overpay.

–Trading Justin Upton: I still don’t get why they wanted/needed to trade him at all. If they’d gotten back a top pitching prospect like the Mariners’ guy or Profar/Andrus from the Rangers or Simmons from the Braves, I guess I could see it. This trade seems underwhelming to me.

I’ve skipped more minor acquisitions like Eric Hinske and Eric Chavez. Towers has been a busy boy. But other than McCarthy, I don’t see how any of these moves made the Dbacks better this year or in the future. Time will tell, of course.

channelclemente

Foothills,

I’d agree he could get those numbers. If he’d ever learn to take the ball to RF, he could be a perpetual AS. He gets hot muggy weather and fences 10-20 feet further back at Chase.

I understand Hemingway’s mother used to dress him up in girls clothing when he was small. Perhaps this explains why Ernest wrote ambiguous stories like “The Three Day Blow” about two men holed up in a cabin together.

Can’t beat For Whom the Bell Tolls though.

South City Jim

It will be interesting to see how the Upton brothers do on the same team. On one hand I agree with Lefty that I can’t figure out what Towers is doing, but on the otherhand, there’s still enough talent there they can win anyway, so we’ll see.

Regarding yesterday’s post about the 2003 SB, Tim Brown and Jerry Rice. I don’t doubt that the game plan changed. I suspect that on the Thursday before Big Al got wind of the game plan and told Callahan “we’re the Raiders, we throw the ball…change the game plan or I’ll see that you never work in the league ever again” or something to that effect. My issue with the whole thing is why bring it up now? Bring it up the day after the SB, or a week or a month after, not TEN (10) YEARS later. Bad look from my perspective. Not a fan of Romanowski’s in the least, but he comes off looking better than Rice and Brown on this one. Just my opinion.

If Tim Brown needs to explain why he never won a SB to gain a few HOF votes, state the obvious. He didn’t have Montana, Elway, Sims, Young, Favre or Aikman throwing him the ball and only had Gannon for two years, and in those two years they came close. If you want to complain, complain about the tuck rule. (I like to refer to it by another name by simply changing the “t” in the word tuck to another letter.) The single most ridiculously bad rule in any sport played in North America. You get hit, ball comes out, it’s a fumble…end of story.